BOSTON — Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers says Kevin Garnett has a hip injury but it won’t keep him out of Game 3 of their playoff series against the New York Knicks.

Rivers says Garnett’s hip was bothering him during Tuesday night’s 87-71 loss to the Knicks. The victory gave New York a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The series resumes in Boston on Friday night. And Rivers says Garnett will be on the floor.

A bigger problem for the Celtics was Garnett’s foul trouble.

The Boston big man picked up back-to-back fouls early in the first quarter and played just 24 minutes in the game. Rivers said after the game the fouls by Garnett were “horrendous” and Garnett was never able to get into a rhythm.

The 27-year old right-hander made eight relief appearances for the Sea Dogs, going with 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA.

A valuable setup man for the Red Sox in 2010 and 2011, the club adhered to Bard’s wishes and attempted to convert him to a starter last season. Bard went 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA in 10 starts and finished 5-6 overall with a 6.22 ERA in 17 games.

Due to control problems, he was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he went 3-2 with a 7.03 ERA in 31 games, making one start. To make room for Bard, Boston sent knuckleballer Steven Wright to Pawtucket.

The 28-year old Wright made his major league debut in relief in Tuesday’s 13-0, rain-shortened loss to Oakland, giving up five runs on six hits in 3 2-3 innings.